God’s love for you is beyond measure. He created you, knows every detail about you, and longs to have a personal relationship with you. This world doesn’t offer much hope. It seems almost every day something else happens that destroys hope. The good news is, God loves you and offers hope for both today and eternity. The Bible reveals this incredible truth:

• “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
  

This verse is the heartbeat of the Christian message: God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save you from sin and give you eternal life. The purpose of this booklet is to help you understand God’s love, why you desperately need salvation, how you can receive it, and how you can live a full, abundant life in Christ. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time or seeking clarity, this guide points you to the hope found in Jesus.

The Problem of Sin: Why We Need Salvation

Every one of us has a problem called sin. The Bible says:

• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NIV)

Sin is anything we think, say, or do that goes against God’s perfect standard—lying, pride, hatred, selfishness, or outright rejecting God. Sin isn’t just a mistake; it separates us from God, who is holy and perfect. The consequences are severe:

• “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NIV)

“Death” here means eternal separation from God, a destiny apart from His love and goodness. No matter how good we try to be, we can’t erase our sin or earn our way to God. We desperately need a Savior.

Jesus Christ: God’s Solution to Sin

God didn’t leave us hopeless. He provided a way to be forgiven and reconciled to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus declared:

• I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NIV)

Jesus is the only way to God because He alone paid the price for our sins. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again, taking the punishment we deserve. The Bible confirms His unique role:

• “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5, NIV)

Jesus bridges the gap between us and God. His sacrifice shows God’s love in action:

• “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV)

Because of Jesus, your sins can be forgiven, and your eternal destiny can be secured with God forever.

How to Receive Salvation: Steps to Forgiveness and Eternal Life

Salvation is God’s free gift, but you must receive it. Here’s how you can receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior and know your eternal destiny is secured:

• Repent of Your Sins: Repentance means recognizing your sin, being sorry for it, and turning away from it and turning to God for forgiveness. The Bible says:
• “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19, NIV)

• Believe in Jesus Christ: Trust that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Salvation isn’t about earning God’s favor; it’s about faith in what Jesus has already done:
• “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

• Confess Your Sins and Declare Your Faith: Admit your need for forgiveness and confess Jesus as your Lord:
• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV)
• “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, NIV)

• Anyone can call on Jesus and be saved. If you sense God drawing you to Himself, call out to Him now:
• “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13, NIV)

When you take these steps of faithful response, God forgives your sins, gives you a new beginning, and secures your place in heaven.

Assurance of Salvation: Confidence in God’s Promise

Once you trust in Jesus, you don’t have to wonder about your eternal destiny. Jesus promises:

• “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29, NIV)

Your salvation is safe in God’s hands. The Bible also assures:

• “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:11-13, NIV)

You can know, right now, that you’re forgiven and have eternal life through faith in Jesus. God’s love and power guarantee it.

Living the Abundant Life in Christ

Salvation isn’t just about heaven someday; it’s about a transformed life today. Jesus said:

• “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10, NIV)

This “abundant life” is one of purpose, peace, and joy, even in challenges. When you follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit works in you to produce godly qualities:

• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

Here’s how to live this life:

• Stay Rooted in Christ: Build your life on Jesus through prayer, reading the Bible, and obeying His teachings.
• “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7, NIV)
• Love and Serve Others: Reflect God’s love by helping those around you.
• Grow Daily: Seek God through prayer and Scripture, trusting Him to guide you.

When you receive Christ, you become a new person:

• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

Call to Action: Your Next Step

If sense God is drawing you to Himself, and if you’re ready to receive God’s love and salvation, you can pray this prayer, or something similar that reflects your desire:

• “Dear God, I admit that I’m a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again. I repent of my sins and receive Jesus into my life as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you just prayed this prayer, or something similar, congratulations! You’ve begun a new life with Christ. You now have hope for today and for eternity. Now, take these steps:

1. Connect with a Church: Find a local Christian community for support and teaching.
2. Make your faith in Jesus public through believer’s baptism: This is something God desires for His children to do as a testimony of His grace, reflecting the truth that you have died to your old way of life, been buried with Christ, and have now been raised to walk in a new way of living through the power of the Holy Spirit of God.
3. Read the Bible: If you don’t know where to begin, you can start with the Gospel of John to learn more about Jesus.
4. Pray Regularly: Talk to God daily, sharing your gratitude and needs.

This is a starting point. Keep seeking God and share this hope with others!

Additional Bible Verses for Reflection:

• “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)
• “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17, NIV)
• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)

 Citations

•  The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Zondervan, 2011.

Let us know if you prayed to receive Christ today!